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One Falling -- One Rising | |
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I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every
segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14-16; D&C 84:49-53.) It is
more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully
promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain,
and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow
the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil
influence and control over America and the entire world. (See Ether
8:18-25 >> |
I testify that America is a
choice land. (See 2 Ne. 1:5.) God raised up the founding fathers of the
United States of America and established the inspired Constitution. (See
D&C 101:77-80.) This was the required prologue for the restoration of
the gospel. (See 3 Ne. 21:4.) America will be a blessed land unto the
righteous forever and is the base from which God will continue to direct
the worldwide latter-day operations of His kingdom. (See 2 Ne.
1:7.) |
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I testify that as the forces of evil increase under
Lucifer's leadership >> |
and as the forces of good increase
under the leadership of Jesus Christ, |
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there will be growing battles between the two until the
final confrontation. As the issues become clearer and more obvious, all
mankind will eventually be required to align themselves either for the
kingdom of God or for the kingdom of the devil. As these conflicts rage,
either secretly or openly, the righteous will be
tested. | |
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God's wrath will soon shake the nations of the earth
and will be poured out on the wicked without measure. (See JSH 1:45;
D&C 1:9.) >> |
But God will provide strength for the
righteous and the means of escape; and eventually and finally truth will
triumph. (See 1 Ne. 22:15-23.) |
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President Ezra Taft
Benson, "I Testify," General Conference, October 1988 | |
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I think we will witness increasing evidence
of Satan's power as the kingdom of God grows stronger. I believe Satan's
ever-expanding efforts are some proof of the truthfulness of this work. In
the future the opposition will be both more subtle and more open. It will
be masked in greater sophistication and cunning, but it will also be more
blatant. We will need greater spirituality to perceive all of the forms of
evil and greater strength to resist it. But the disappointments and
setbacks to the work of God will be temporary, for the work will go
forward (See D&C 65:2). |